Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, is putting pressure on fast food businesses to shape up, according to a Reuters article on Yahoo!.“It is important to pressure the food industry and the soft drink society [not to be confused with The Pepsi Generation] to get them to offer healthier foods and put more things on the menu dealing with fruits and vegetables.” The article goes on to say “Thompson specified PepsiCo Inc., Coca-Cola Co., McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell as companies that could offer consumers healthier options and promote more sensible diets.” It is unsure what repercussions may be at this time, although some experts say it may not be long before we see people having to cluster around the outsides of office building entrances to eat their fries.
To be honest, I wouldn’t mind if fast food places were forced to provide healthier foods. Despite what some of the lawsuits might claim, I, as a fat person, am not “addicted” to burgers and fries. What I am addicted to is getting a hot meal through my driver’s side window. And a cheeseburger is a great car food the same way a salad isn’t. So until they come up with something as fast and convenient and as a cheeseburger, all Thompson’s recommendations will be meaningless.
